In Juxian, '巫' are believed to be individuals who can see things invisible to ordinary people, such as ghosts and spirits. Unlike '半仙' (semi-immortals) or '活神' (living gods), who can predict fortunes or exorcise demons, '巫' are seen as powerless against evil spirits. They are often blamed for causing disasters, such as plagues, by inciting conflicts between humans and malevolent spirits. The town has a strict rule to kill any '巫' discovered, as they are considered a threat to the community.
Lin Jiahe, the town mayor, was deeply conflicted because Afan, his 19-year-old son, was accused of being a '巫'. Despite his role as mayor, which required him to uphold the town's traditions, Lin Jiahe struggled with the idea of condemning his own son. He was haunted by the memory of his younger brother, Lin Xiaosan, whom he had killed decades earlier after discovering he was a '巫'. This personal history made the situation even more painful, as he feared history was repeating itself within his own family.
Afan accused Liu Lu of murdering Zhenzhen by revealing that Liu Lu's ring, which he always wore, was found in Zhenzhen's stomach during an autopsy. Afan claimed that Zhenzhen's ghost had stolen the ring from Liu Lu and swallowed it to provide evidence of the crime. This revelation shocked the town, as it directly implicated Liu Lu in Zhenzhen's death and exposed his guilt.
Lin Jiahe's ability to see ghosts allowed him to uncover hidden truths and injustices in the town. He used this ability to help solve crimes and protect the innocent, such as when he ensured that Liu Lu was held accountable for Zhenzhen's murder. Despite the town's fear and hatred of '巫', Lin Jiahe secretly used his powers to maintain justice and order, even though it meant living a double life and hiding his true nature from others.
After the accusations and revelations, Afan was allowed to leave Juxian with his life spared. Lin Jiahe, recognizing that his son was not truly a '巫' but had used the label to expose Liu Lu's crimes, arranged for Afan to leave the town. This decision was also influenced by the town's elders, who preferred to avoid further scandal by letting Afan go rather than admitting to the truths he had revealed about their own dark secrets.
Zhenzhen's ghost played a crucial role in the resolution of the case by providing evidence of Liu Lu's guilt. According to Afan, Zhenzhen's ghost stole Liu Lu's ring and swallowed it, ensuring that it would be discovered during the autopsy. This act of the ghost not only exposed Liu Lu's crime but also helped Afan prove his accusations, ultimately leading to Liu Lu's arrest and the town's acknowledgment of the truth.